With only one game remaining in the regular season, the Sedona Red Rock High School tennis team looks to finish the year strong.
Sedona ends their season on the road as they take on the Page Sand Devils on Tuesday, April 16.
Last time these two teams squared off, on Sunday, March 21, Page defeated Sedona 7-2.
The Scorpions are coming off a 7-2 loss to Anthem Prep on Saturday, April 13.
“A couple of matches could have went either way but I thought the kids played well,” Sedona coach Phil Kovac said.
The Scorpions boys are 5-6 heading into their last game of the season.
“Our season on the boys side has been interesting as we started with only four boys,” Kovac said. “We picked up two more youngsters midway through the year and helped get them acclimated to tennis.”
Sedona is 4-6 in regional play, good for fourth in the Division III Section VI.
“If we defeat Page, then we end the season .500 and I tip my hat off to the boys,” Kovac said. “It is not too bad with only four for most of the season, so I am very proud of them.”
The Scorpions are currently ranked 28th in the state.
Kovac believes the boys have demonstrated a solid attitude throughout the season.
“I tip my hat to each of the four boys that started the year have shown up to each practice and meet,” Kovac said. “That is something to be proud of and it will reflect on their life as they go on.
“A lot of kids are sick or do not show up nowadays, so I believe it is a big accomplishment.”
The Scorpions hope to qualify both its doubles teams to state this season.
Kovac anticipates the Scorpions being well-represented at the state playoffs.
“Kai Zimmerman will qualify for state along with our boys doubles team,” Kovac said. “A couple of our girls have an opportunity to make the cut along with the girls doubles team.”
Zimmerman and Ian Krog are 5-2 in doubles flights, good for 16th in the state.
“They are only taking 24 players this year, which I believe is a disservice to our players,” Kovac said. “We all had to have our singles and doubles teams in with four games remaining instead of when the season ends.”
Zimmerman sports a 7-3 record and is 14-7 in sets, good for 12th in the 2A rankings.
Zimmerman has qualified for state in each of his last three seasons for Sedona.
“I am not worried about accolades as a coach, but the kids came to play,” Kovac said.
In 2018, the boys finished 8-4.
On the girls’ side, the Scorpions are currently 4-7 and are coming off a 7-2 loss to Anthem Prep on April 13.
Sedona is 4-7 in divisional play, good for fifth in the region and 28th in the 2A rankings.
The girls’ are looking to avenge end the year strong and avenge losses in their last two matches.
“Page has a solid girls team, so it is going to be a tough match to end the year,” Kovac said.
Last year, the girls finished 6-7.
While the Scorpions may not qualify for the postseason, Kovac is impressed with the girls’ determination and joy for tennis.
“To me, the important thing is when the players smile while hitting a tennis ball,” Kovac said. “I had a foreign exchange student who went from missing the ball early on to happiest kid in the world.”
For Kovac, watching the kids progress has been his favorite aspect of this season.
“From the beginning of the season to the end, the kids have had a smile and came ready to work,” Kovac said. “That brings me joy to me because despite the bad weather and other setbacks we have had, their demeanor has remained the same.”
On Thursday, April 18, the Scorpions will host their annual end of season banquet.
“Every player found a way to make me smile this season, and I will reflect that at our banquet,” Kovac said.
